Weighing the Pros and Cons of Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Top Free-Agent TargetsBy Luke Easterling Mar 4, 2015 
USA TODAY Sports Free agency is less than a week away, and just as they have over the past few years, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to be active when it comes to going after some of the bigger names on the market.According to Spotrac, the Bucs currently have around $29.5 million in cap space to work with, and they could clear even more before free agency opens. That leaves many expecting Tampa Bay to target some of the top players available, especially at positions of need like offensive line, safety and defensive end.But spending big money on free agents is a risky business, and one Bucs fans know all too well after watching big-money deals yield disappointing results from the likes of Carl Nicks, Eric Wright, Dashon Goldson, Anthony Collins and more over the last few offseasons.Let's take a look at the pros and cons the Bucs should consider before going after some of the big fish in this year's free-agent pool.
S Devin McCourtyUSA TODAY Sports ProsDevin McCourty is easily the top safety available in free agency this year, and while the Bucs may have found something special in Bradley McDougald, they could end up still needing a new starter at the position if they cut the disappointing Goldson. This year's draft class is also thin at safety, making McCourty even more valuable.A versatile player who has experience at both corner and safety, McCourty would fit much better in the Tampa 2 than Goldson has. It's also worth noting that Bucs general manager Jason Licht was a personnel executive with the Patriots when they drafted McCourty in the first round back in 2010.ConsAs is the case with all the names on this list, money will be the biggest issue for the Bucs when it comes to signing McCourty. He's likely to command similar money to what Tampa Bay gave Goldson in 2013—around $8-9 million per year—which would be a healthy chunk of the Bucs' available cap space.The Bottom LineIt's a steep price, but this is one big fish the Bucs should do everything they can to land. If he doesn't end up back in New England, Tampa Bay should do its best to forget the mistakes of a past regime and swing for the fences on another top safety.
G Mike IupatiUSA TODAY Sports ProsEver since the decline and subsequent release of Pro Bowler Davin Joseph, the Bucs have struggled to find consistent, effective play at the guard position. Mike Iupati is arguably the top name on the market this year, and while veteran Logan Mankins will return at left guard, the Bucs still desperately need an upgrade on the right side.Iupati is an absolute mauler in the run game, which would instantly improve a Tampa Bay ground attack that had trouble opening up consistent room for its backs.ConsIupati is a stellar run-blocker, but he's not known for his prowess as a pass protector. The Bucs struggled to keep Josh McCown and Mike Glennon off their backs in 2014, so spending top dollar for a guard who isn't known as a great pass-blocker might not be in their best interest.Much like the Devin McCourty-Dashon Goldson comparison, the Bucs might be a little gun-shy about spending a ton of money on a top guard in free agency after the Nicks signing became such a cautionary tale. Every player and situation is different, but it's easy to draw connections.The Bottom LineThis is another signing that's worth the risk for Tampa Bay. Iupati might not completely break the bank after coming off a so-so season, but he's well worth a considerable deal because of the huge need the Bucs have at his position. No matter who is under center for them in 2015, adding Iupati will make life a lot easier for the team.
DT Ndamukong SuhUSA TODAY Sports ProsIt doesn't take a rocket scientist to point out how dominant the Bucs' front four could be if Ndamukong Suh joined fellow 2010 top-three draft pick Gerald McCoy in the middle. That tandem would be a weekly nightmare for opposing offensive coordinators, quarterbacks and interior lineman.The Tampa 2 is predicated on getting consistent pressure from the front four, and adding one of the most dominant linemen in the league would do wonders to help the Bucs' defense at every level.ConsIf the Bucs want to land Suh, they'll have to outspend teams like the Raiders and Jaguars, who have a lot more cap space to work with. Whoever signs him will be overspending, which means the Bucs would have to go way beyond overspending to win the sweepstakes.The Bucs just inked McCoy to an $100 million extension, and it would likely take more than that to get Suh. With the other needs throughout the roster, the Bucs can't afford to tie up so much money at one position.Suh's penchant for drawing fines for his on-field behavior is also not an attractive addition.The Bottom LineWhile it's a lovely dream for Bucs fans, there's no way going after Suh makes sense for a team that needs to fill so many holes. The Bucs have a good amount of cap space, but the majority of it doesn't need to be spent at a position that is already one of the strongest on the depth chart.
DE Jerry HughesBill Wippert/Associated Press ProsThe Bucs have been on a desperate search for an impact edge-rusher since the days of Simeon Rice ended, and Jerry Hughes is the best this year's free-agent market has to offer on that front. After managing just five sacks over his first three seasons with the Colts, Hughes exploded after he was traded to the Bills, racking up 19 sacks over the past two years.Again, the Tampa 2 simply must get a consistent pass rush with the front four to be successful, and the Bucs didn't have that last year. Hughes would hopefully give the Bucs that feared presence on the edge, one they thought they were getting in Michael Johnson last year.ConsIf the Bucs want Hughes, it's going to cost a pretty penny, and they might not want to shell out top dollar for yet another defensive end after signing Johnson to such a lucrative deal last offseason.Hughes' numbers have been impressive with the Bills, but some wonder if that has less to do with his own ability and more to do with the strength of his linemates in Buffalo, a unit that included Mario Williams, Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams.The Bottom LineIn the end, I think the Bucs will look for more economical options in free agency to address their need for help with the pass rush. Hughes would be a great fit, but for the money, I expect Tampa Bay to look elsewhere in free agency or dip into this year's deep pool of edge-rushers in the draft.
OT Bryan BulagaMike Roemer/Associated Press ProsWith Demar Dotson's move over to left tackle possibly being a permanent transition, the Bucs could be looking for a new starter on the right side. Bryan Bulaga is the perfect fit, and this year's market for tackles is thin. If the Bucs want a plug-and-play starter at that vital position, Bulaga is easily their best bet.Bulaga returned from multiple injuries to start 15 of 16 regular-season games in 2014, helping protect Aaron Rodgers on his way to an NFL MVP season. Of his 37 NFL appearances, he's made 33 starts at right tackle.ConsWith the tackle market looking shallow this year, whoever signs Bulaga will likely have to overpay to secure his services.Combine that with Bulaga's concerning injury history—he missed the last seven games of the 2012 season with a hip injury, then missed the entire 2013 season due to a knee injury—and you have a recipe for a fairly risky player on which to spend top dollar.The Bottom LineWhile it would make sense for the Bucs to go after the top tackle in this year's free-agent class, they shouldn't overpay for Bulaga just because the market is thin, especially given his durability concerns. This year's draft class is stacked with solid options at right tackle, and the Bucs would be better off going that route than shelling out a ton of cash for Bulaga.link
